ACC Week 7 Wrap Up

It took a quarter to get started but visiting #19 Virginia Tech (6-1, 2-1) ultimately rolled over Wake Forest (4-2, 3-1), 38-17. RB David Wilson ripped off 136 yards on 17 carries with a TD and QB Logan Thomas clicked for the second straight outing finishing 17 of 32 for 2 TD’s and added two scores with his legs. The Hokie D made a statement holding Wake to 320 total yards and disrupted any rhythm for the Demon Deacons. Outside of one big play and one nice drive in the 3rdquarter, Wake couldn’t keep the chains moving converting on just one of 13 third down opportunities.

It’s amazing what happens when turnovers are kept to a minimum as visiting Miami (3-3, 1-2) bested host UNC (5-2, 1-2), 30-24. Canes’ QB Jacory Harris was on his game going 20 of 30 for 267 yards and three scores to get the road win against an athletic Tar Heel group. The Miami running game needs work, gaining only 44 total yards. For the Heels, they tried to make a big comeback but it wasn’t enough to overcome a ho-hum first half. Turnovers and special teams errors were costly too. RB Giovani Bernard continues to impress with another 100-yard performance finishing with 110 on 27 touches and a TD but the deficit was just too much.

For #12 Georgia Tech (6-1, 3-1), the offense didn’t come up with its customary big plays and long drives as the Ramblin' Wreck fell to host Virginia (4-2, 1-1), 24-21. With two weeks to prepare, Virginia RB Perry Jones took care of the ball, gashing for 149 yards on 18 carries, and the Cavs jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead. The Wahoos showed mental toughness, as well, after throwing a pick six in the first half that could have turned the tide. Tech’s running attack couldn’t dominate as planned and QB Tevin Washington was ineffective, with only 24 yards on 2 of 8 with two picks. Give this one to Cavalier preparedness and tenacity.

What an explosion of offense as #8 Clemson (7-0, 4-0) traveled to College Park and outscored host Maryland (2-4, 1-2), 56-45. RB Andre Ellington was the unsung hero with a career-high 212 yards and two scores on 24 carries then putting the game away with his late scoring gallop. Freshman sensation WR Sammy Watkins had a record-setting day, with 345 all-purpose yards helping the Tigers rally from 18 points down. Terrapin sophomore QB C.J. Brown was great for the Terps, running for 162 yards and a score and threw three TD passes in his first college start. Obviously, neither team played much defense, especially the Terp special teams, but Clemson’s combo of QB Tajh Boyd and Watkins may be too much to slow down.

Being described by some as a desperate team, visiting Florida State (3-3, 1-2) handled host Duke (3-3, 1-1), 41-16. QB E.J. Manual threw for 239 and 2 TD’s giving the Noles their first win in a month and improving to 17-0 all-time against the Blue Devils. Duke has won three straight games and was feeling plenty confident behind the strong combo of QB Sean Renfree (26 of 43 for 226) and WR Conner Vernon (6 of 88) but the Seminoles had too much firepower and speed and their D kept the Devils out of the end zone until the 4thquarter.